Photos of Royal Navy Sailors and Marines during Operation Baltic Protector

Operation Baltic Protector marked the first deployment of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) Maritime Task Group, with command of the group conducted by the Royal Navy and Plymouth-based HMS Albion. More than 3,000 military personnel and 17 vessels from nine nations were involved in the first major maritime training deployment of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF). Over the three phases of the deployment, the Royal Navy and Royal Marine Commandos took part in a number of exercises, paid their respects to those who died in previous conflicts - and demonstrated the UK's commitment to protecting the Baltic states from a perceived threat from Russia. These photos tell the story of this huge deployment.

Royal Marine Jake Danville of 45 Commando in the Russian military installation14 of 109

Dog Handler Private Bethany Johnson (19) of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, 1st Military Working Dogs (MWD), 102 MWD Squadron with MWD Ssillag during capability training and briefs with UK and Latvian forces at Latvia during Baltic Protector deployment.15 of 109

Royal Marines from 24 Commando Royal Engineers blow up a potential sniper location in a Russian Military base in Latvia (Image: MoD)16 of 109

A 5th Company Spanish Marine directs oncoming vessel on the beach in Ravlunda, Sweden.17 of 109

The 5th Company Spanish Marines arrive on to the beach in Ravlunda, Sweden to begin training. (Image: Credit: LPhot Joe Cater)18 of 109

Royal Marines of 45 Commando with HMS Albion in the background19 of 109

Royal Marines of 45 Commando storm the beach20 of 109

Royal Marines of 45 Commando landing at Kolga Bay, Estonia, during DV Day on Baltic Protector.21 of 109

An amphibious landing22 of 109

On the beach23 of 109

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Landing craft at Kolga Bay26 of 109

Royal Marines of 45 Commando27 of 109

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An amphibious landing at Kolga Bay, Estonia, during DV Day on Baltic Protector.29 of 109

Royal Marines of 45 Commando on the beach at Kolga Bay30 of 109

Royal Marines of 45 Command fast rope from a Merlin in Estonia31 of 109

Pictured is an amphibious landing at Kolga Bay, Estonia, during DV Day on Baltic Protector. The Estonian Defence Forces and Royal Marines of 45 Commando will conduct the demonstration on Baltic Protector deployment which is a multinational task group of nine nations including the UK, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden and is part of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF).32 of 109

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Amphibious landing at Kolga Bay, Estonia, during DV Day on Baltic Protector.34 of 109

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The Wings of the Royal Marines - the Commando Helicopter Force (Image: Royal Navy)36 of 109

The Commando Helicopter Force has arrived in the Baltic (Image: Royal Navy)37 of 109

A Commando Helicopter Force Merlin and Wildcat (Image: Royal Navy)38 of 109

A Royal Marine signaller from X-Ray Company, 45 Commando radios in during final objective in Rinkenby, Sweden on Baltic Protector. (Image: LPhot Joe Cater)47 of 109

(Image: LPhot Joe Cater)48 of 109

(Image: LPhot Joe Cater)49 of 109

(Image: LPhot Joe Cater)50 of 109

(Image: LPhot Joe Cater)51 of 109

(Image: LPhot Joe Cater)52 of 109

(Image: LPhot Joe Cater)53 of 109

(Image: LPhot Joe Cater)54 of 109

Credit: (Image: LPhot Joe Cater)55 of 109

(Image: LPhot Joe Cater)56 of 109

(Image: LPhot Joe Cater)57 of 109

(Image: LPhot Joe Cater)58 of 109

Royal Marines from Zulu Company. 45 Commando during their training in Rinkeby, Sweden as part of their Baltic Protector Deployment. (Image: LPhot Joe Cater)59 of 109

A Royal Marines from Zulu Company. 45 Commando takes cover in a building during their training in Rinkeby, Sweden as part of their Baltic Protector Deployment.
Credit: LPhot Joe Cater (Image: Credit: LPhot Joe Cater)60 of 109

845 NAS Commando Merlin carrying out load61 of 109

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The Commando Helicopter Force embarks on a night raid in Denmark as part of Operation Baltic Protector (Image: Royal Navy)63 of 109

A Royal Marine from Zulu Company. 45 Commando changing a magazine while in cover during the section attack training.65 of 109

The Commando Helicopter Force in action in Denmark (Image: Royal Navy)66 of 109

845 NAS Aircrew walking to a Commando Merlin (Image: Royal Navy)67 of 109

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A Royal Marine moves positon as he gets protected by others on the section attack training69 of 109

A Royal Marine from X-Ray Company, 45 Commando assault the final objective in Rinkenby, Sweden on Baltic Protector. (Image: LPhot Joe Cater)70 of 109

Royal Marines from 45 Commando fast rope out of a Merlin Mk4 on to the beach.71 of 109

A Royal Navy 847 NAS Pilot with Wildcat (Image: Royal Navy)72 of 109

A CHF Merlin brings Royal Marines to HMS Albion (Image: Royal Navy)73 of 109

(Image: LPhot Joe Cater)74 of 109

Crew of Plymouth based HMS Albion, Royal Marines soldiers and airmen remeber D-Day (Image: Royal Navy)75 of 109

A Merlin from 845 Squadron lands on HMS Albion. (Image: Royal Navy)76 of 109

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HMS Albion commemorates the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings, with members of her ships company forming up on the flight deck with the number 75 (Image: Royal Navy)78 of 109

Two Wildcats secured to the flight deck of HMS Albion. (Image: Royal Navy)79 of 109

Wreaths are laid from the Royal Marines, Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force on board HMS Albion. (Image: Royal Navy)80 of 109

HMS Albion Church Service - D-Day 75th (Image: Royal Navy)81 of 109

(Image: LPhot Joe Cater)82 of 109

(Image: LPhot Joe Cater)83 of 109

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Pictured are the Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron (SRS) conducting helicasting from a Merlin Mk4 helicopter of 845 Naval Air Squadron, with support from the HNoMS Steil of the Royal Norwegian Navy at Denmark during Exercise Baltic Protector.86 of 109

Pictured are the Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron (SRS) conducting helicasting from a Merlin Mk4 helicopter of 845 Naval Air Squadron, with support from the HNoMS Steil of the Royal Norwegian Navy at Denmark during Exercise Baltic Protector.87 of 109

Pictured are the Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron (SRS) conducting helicasting from a Merlin Mk4 helicopter of 845 Naval Air Squadron, with support from the HNoMS Steil of the Royal Norwegian Navy at Denmark during Exercise Baltic Protector.88 of 109

Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron (SRS) conducting helicasting from a Merlin Mk4 helicopter of 845 Naval Air Squadron, with support from the HNoMS Steil of the Royal Norwegian Navy at Denmark during Exercise Baltic Protector.89 of 109

The Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron (SRS) conducting helicasting from a Merlin Mk4 helicopter of 845 Naval Air Squadron, with support from the HNoMS Steil of the Royal Norwegian Navy at Denmark during Exercise Baltic Protector.90 of 109

HMS Westminster crosses USS Gravely’s bow during towing in the Baltic104 of 109

Crew of USS Gravely watch HMS Westminster approach during a towing exercise in the Baltic105 of 109

HMS Albion Deploys
HMS Albion departed HMNB Devonport today (20th May 19), as she set sail for the Baltic Sea as part of The Joint Expeditionary Force and Baltic Protector 19.
Image: LPhot Paul Hall106 of 109

Image Shows:Royal Marine Vehicles on the vehicle deck of HMS ALBION ready to deploy for EX. Baltic OPS.
Royal Marine PRE Sailing checks
Today 17th May 2019 MNE Smith did checks on recently embarked Royal Marine Vehicles on the flight deck and Vehicle deck of HMS Albion.
HMS Albion is an amphibious transport dock of the Royal Navy, the first of the two-ship Albion class. Built by BAE Systems Marine in Barrow-in-Furness, Albion was launched in March 2001 by the Princess Royal. Her sister ship, Bulwark, was launched in November 2001, also from Barrow107 of 109

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Image Shows:Royal Marine Vehicles on the flightdeck of HMS ALBION ready to deploy for EX. Baltic OPS.
Royal Marine PRE Sailing checks
Today 17th May 2019 MNE Smith did checks on recently embarked Royal Marine Vehicles on the flight deck and Vehicle deck of HMS Albion.
HMS Albion is an amphibious transport dock of the Royal Navy, the first of the two-ship Albion class. Built by BAE Systems Marine in Barrow-in-Furness, Albion was launched in March 2001 by the Princess Royal. Her sister ship, Bulwark, was launched in November 2001, also from Barrow109 of 109